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Click the links in the introduction to navigate to the corresponding sections in the body of this email.
If you are having trouble with the links try opening this email in your browser.
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| Friends and Neighbors,
With that fall chill in the air (love that shorts and hoodie weather!) and the many updates and events we've included below, don't forget that this weekend, several new laws in Connecticut will go into effect on October 1. These laws are a result of my colleagues' hard work during the 2022 session. Below are just some of the laws that will take effect and what they mean for you. |
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Making Juneteenth a State Holiday
Public Act 22-128 designates June 19, known as Juneteenth Independence Day, a legal state holiday.
Addressing Children's Mental Health Concerns
Public Act 22-47 is a transformative piece of legislation that takes steps to bolster Connecticut's children's mental and behavioral health system and improve the delivery and accessibility of services. Parts of this law will take effect to increase the number of qualified health care providers by permitting out-of-state providers to apply for edited licensure in Connecticut; create a statewide emergency service telecommunications plan addressing mental health, behavioral health, or substance use disorder needs; and expand Connecticut's emergency response team.
Fair Rent Commission
Public Act 22-30 requires municipalities with populations of at least 25,000 to establish a fair rent commission, where they conduct studies and investigations, hold hearings, receive rent complaints, and intervene in matters between tenants and landlords.
Timely Reporting of a Death by Police
In light of an investigation of Bridgeport police officers who failed to properly notify the next of kin of two women who died in December 2021 and similar incidents across our state, the Connecticut General Assembly passed Public Act 22-61 to require the timely reporting of a death to the next of kin. Police officers will have 24 hours after identifying a victim to report the death. Failure to report a death as required will trigger an investigation by the Office of the Inspector General. |
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| Click the button below to view the full list of laws taking effect on October 1. To read a related news story, please click here. |
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To stay up-to-date with everything happening in Hartford, click the "At the Capitol, In District, & Beyond" link below, but also please check out the other subject links in this intro to go right to the topic in the body of this email.
You can find additional resources and information on my web site,
www.housedems.ct.gov/currey. If there's something you need help with that isn't included in this email, please check my website. If you can't find what you're looking for there, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. |
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| We continue to ask that our friends, family, and neighbors consider using all the tools within their reach to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Information for testing, vaccine clinics, and those who are homebound and need assistance are noted below. We must be in this together. |
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Overall Summary
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Cumulative
(except for hospital census)
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Past 7 days
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Positive PCR/NAAT Tests
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971,754
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3,659
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All PCR/NAAT Tests
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15,465,447
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37,796
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Test Positivity (pos/all PCR/NAAT)
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--
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9.68%
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Patients currently hospitalized with COVID-19
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384
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9
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COVID-19-Associated Deaths
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11,365
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22
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Specific Updates for Our Community
| Town |
Total Cases |
Total Deaths |
Number of Tests |
Percent Positivity Past 7 Days (NAAT) |
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| East Hartford |
14,716 |
201 |
234,366 |
9.92% |
| Manchester |
13,121 |
198 |
229,661 |
9.9% |
| South Windsor |
5,148 |
70 |
84,219 |
8.5% |
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| Vaccines continue to be effective tools in protecting residents from severe COVID-19 infections. To get vaccinated or your booster, please click here to locate vaccination sites in our community.
Below are several vaccine clinics happening in our community:
- Sunday, Oct. 9
- Charity SDA Church, 1535 Forbes St, East Hartford, 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., for ages 6 months and up
- Tuesday, Oct. 11
- Odyssey Community School, 579 Middle Tpke West, Manchester, 1:30 p.m. - 5 p.m., for ages 6 months and up
- Wednesday, Oct. 12
- Frank J. Bush MD Pediatrics, 27 Hilliard St, Manchester, 4 p.m. - 7 p.m., for ages 6 months to 11 years
Information about getting vaccinated, including how to make an appointment and a list of clinics, is available on Connecticut's Vaccine Portal, here.
If you need assistance finding transportation to and from a vaccine appointment, you can find transportation resources here.
If you're a homebound resident, you can receive your COVID-19 shot at home. Complete the state Department of Public Health's Homebound Intake Form to get the appointment process started. |
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MONKEYPOX OUTBREAK UPDATE
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| Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates a slowdown in new monkeypox cases. This represents a break in a weeks-long trend of rising cases. According to CDC data from Sept. 21, the 7-day case average was 197, representing a 50% decrease from the 7-day rolling average recorded one month ago.
Some public health experts attribute the decline to a change in behavior by persons most at-risk for contracting monkeypox that's happened because of the level of information dispersed about the virus and prevention measures. Another reason is the availability of vaccines. CDC data show more than 684,000 JYNNEOS vaccine doses have been distributed as of September 20. You can read more about this here.
In Connecticut, new cases have followed the national declining trend. Since July 2, new cases peaked at 17 cases during the week of August 13. Since that peak, an average of 8.4 new cases have been reported each week.
For more information about monkeypox, vaccination, and prevention strategies, please click here. |
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AT THE CAPITOL, IN DISTRICT, & BEYOND...
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The town of East Hartford has been selected to receive $2.5 million in state funds through the Community Investment Fund 2030 (CIF) for the acquisition and rehabilitation of Church Corners Inn. The application must now receive approval from Governor Lamont and the Connecticut State Bond Commission.
The Church Corners project is one of 26 projects selected to receive first round funding. The CIF was established in the 2021 biennial state budget to create new economic development opportunities in underserved communities.
This award will help build upon East Hartford's recent town-wide revitalization initiatives while addressing immediate needs for infrastructure improvements in one of our most recognized and welcoming areas of town. I would like to thank the Board for believing in East Hartford's vision for a vibrant downtown and to East Hartford town leaders for recognizing the opportunity that this project presents and submitting an application for funding.
The 4-story, 24,820-square-foot building built 100 years ago is situated on 0.4 acres and is currently used for commercial and housing space. In recent years, it has experienced public safety and public health-related incidents. Upon obtaining the structure, the town intends to redevelop it into modern housing and commercial retail space.
The project is centrally located in the downtown corridor and is within walking distance to community services, making it an ideal property for redevelopment. Through this project, East Hartford officials hope to make affordable housing, employment, and business ownership more attainable for those who have been historically marginalized. |
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| South Windsor has been awarded $478,100 in state funds through the Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) for the reconstruction of Kennedy Road. The town of South Windsor will match the grant with $119,500. South Windsor is one of 77 small Connecticut towns that received grant funding from this program. STEAP aims to provide small towns with the necessary funding for various infrastructure projects.
In total, $31.3 million in grant money was allocated to towns throughout the state. The funding to support STEAP grants was approved during the March State Bond Commission meeting. Towns will soon receive official award notification and instructions from the Office of Policy Management.
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Over the weekend, Manchester town and school leaders celebrated the re-opening of Buckley Elementary School with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Buckley is the first Net Zero Energy public school in our state, meaning just as much energy is created as is used. The school utilizes green technology like solar panels that turn sunlight into power and geothermal wells that limit the amount of power necessary to heat and cool the building.
This building is a class in sustainability and advances Manchester's commitment to providing every student with a quality education.
With the completion of Buckley Elementary, the school district will now focus on the renovation of Bowers and Keeney. By Fall 2024 all elementary students will attend school in fully renovated, Net Zero Energy buildings.
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From September 15 to October 15 we observe Hispanic Heritage Month to celebrate, recognize, and feature the countless achievements of the many Hispanic Americans who have positively impacted and enriched our communities.
Their rich and diverse culture has influenced the entertainment industry, sports, fashion, food, politics, education, science, and more with an enormous worldwide economic impact.
The legislature adopted the inclusion of Latino studies in our public high school curriculum beginning in fall 2022. I believe the curriculum will add an integral part of American history to student studies.
Please join me in recognizing the successes, challenges, and stories of Hispanic Americans this month and their invaluable contributions to our culture. |
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| CT House Democrats have led bipartisan discussions to develop policy that will address not just the symptoms of crime, but the cause of it.
Connecticut's annual crime statistics report indicates these thoughtful policy solutions are working. According to the report, between 2020 and 2021, Connecticut experienced decreases in violent and property crimes, continuing the downward trend we've seen over the past several years.
Additionally, data over the last 10 years shows overall crime in our state has dropped 30%. This includes a 43% reduction in violent crime and a 29% reduction in property crime.
Our police and courts need additional tools to hold offenders accountable and protect the public, so this session, I proudly supported a juvenile justice law, which takes effect on Oct. 1, that will:
- Toughen penalties for vehicle thefts
- Address lab and case backlogs
- Expand the use of GPS monitoring in some cases
- Provide more hands-on training and crisis training to police
I also backed significant investments in crime prevention and reduction initiatives in the state budget adjustment bill that was signed by the Governor earlier this summer. The investments will:
- Speed up the processing of court cases
- Help victims and survivors recover from crime through safety planning, crisis counseling, mental health treatment, and support for survivors of domestic violence
- Trace firearms to their sources, reduce stolen cars, reduce violent crime, and promote safety on rural roads
- Support community and public health-led strategies to prevent and reduce gun violence
- Utilize the latest forensic science technologies to speed up investigations and clear criminal cases
We must focus on further reducing crime by working together with law enforcement and community partners to ensure Connecticut remains one of the safest places to live and work in the country. |
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| Did you know that September 26 through 30 is designated as National Clean Energy Week?
Connecticut has taken steps to work towards a greener, cleaner energy future for all. In 2019, Governor Lamont signed an executive order establishing the GreenerGov CT initiative to advance environmental leadership and save taxpayers money by reducing operating costs and the environmental impacts of state government facilities. Each year, a progress report is released monitoring our state's progress. To read the 2022 Progress Report, click here.
The progress our state has made comes as a result of bold policy initiatives, like the Connecticut Clean Air Act that I proudly supported this session. Some provisions of the law take effect on Saturday, including:
- Electrifying state vehicles
- Establishing the "right to charge" allowing renters to request electric charging stations at their residences
- Transitioning to zero-emission school buses
- Prohibiting planned community associations from adopting rules that would prevent unit homeowners from installing solar panels
What affects the environment also affects each one of us. I will continue to advocate for meaningful policy solutions that move our state closer to achieving its climate goals to protect our planet and our future. |
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| Connecticut continues to make sound financial decisions that will strengthen our state long term.
State Comptroller Natalie Braswell announced that her office will transfer $3.1 billion into the rainy-day fund. This move triggers a statutory procedure that requires a one-time, special payment of $2.8 billion to be made toward the state’s unfunded pension liabilities.
This payment, which will be allocated into several pension funds later this year, could save Connecticut taxpayers approximately $6 billion over the next 25 years. Connecticut was able to build its rainy-day fund through years of deliberate and careful policy. We can now celebrate the benefits of those decisions as we make investments that will benefit residents now and into the future. |
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| In the wake of Hurricane Fiona, hundreds of thousands in Puerto Rico are still without power and water. The hurricane brought winds topping 85 mph and torrential rainfalls, devastating the island.
Nonprofits and grassroots organizations have mobilized to provide crucial aid, from food and drinking water to medical care to tarps and mattresses. While there's been an outpouring of aid, more is still needed. There are numerous nonprofits and groups that residents can donate to:
Activists encourage donating directly to charities on the ground in Puerto Rico, which will use donation immediately.
How To Avoid Charity Scams
- Determine if the organization, nonprofit, or group has a track record of delivering aid. Is it clear where your money will go and who it will benefit?
- Identify local initiatives and efforts based within the areas most impacted by the natural disaster.
- Beware of phone calls and emails asking for donations and charities that say 100% of funds will assist relief victims.
- Avoid unfamiliar agencies and websites
For more tips and a list of suggested organizations to donate to, please click here. |
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| The Connecticut Department of Public Health has reported two cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) in Connecticut. Additionally, the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station has detected WNV in mosquitos in Branford, Bridgeport, Cornwall, Darien, Fairfield, Greenwich, Hartford, Ledyard, Meriden, Milford, New Canaan, New Haven, Newington, Norwalk, Stamford, Stratford, Wallingford, Waterbury, Waterford, West Haven, Westport, Wethersfield, Wilton, and Woodstock.
Although cooler temperatures have moved into Connecticut's forecast, it's still important to take precautions and avoid mosquito bites. To reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes, residents should:
- Minimize time spent outdoors between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
- Consider the use of mosquito repellents containing an EPA-registered active ingredient, including DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-methane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone when it is necessary to be outdoors.
- Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors for long periods of time, or when mosquitoes are more active. Clothing should be light-colored and loose-fitting and made of tightly woven materials that keep mosquitoes away from the skin.
- Be sure door and window screens are tight-fitting and in good repair.
- Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in an unscreened structure and to protect infants when outdoors.
- Remove any artificial containers that hold water and could become a breeding site for mosquitoes (e.g., wheelbarrows, pails, paint cans, etc.).
For information on WNV and other mosquito-borne diseases, what can be done to prevent getting bitten by mosquitoes, the latest mosquito test results, and human infections, visit the Connecticut Mosquito Management website here. |
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| In the U.S., newborn screening saves about 12,500 infants' lives each year. In 2021, 99.9% of infants born in Connecticut were screened to detect 66 different rare, but serious, conditions. For more information about newborn screening and to learn about Connecticut's program, please click here. |
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| AARP-CT will offer a free Facebook Live event on Friday, September 30 at 12 p.m. highlighting the Social Security retirement process. Visit the event page and click "Going" to receive a Facebook reminder of the live video event. Click here to learn more. For more AARP-CT events, click here. |
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| For additional state and local resources, click the links below:
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COMMUNITY RESOURCES & EVENTS
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| The East Hartford Parks & Recreation Department is resuming aquatics operations at the East Hartford Middle School Pool. Residents and non-residents will have the opportunity to swim during the school year. An array of group classes, including Aquatic Zumba, and individual lessons will be offered. Registration is now open. Click here to learn more and register. |
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| East Hartford Parks & Recreation has switched to a new registration system, MyRec.com! This will provide a more user-friendly experience. It is also mobile-friendly so residents can search and register for programs from their smartphone or tablet. You can read more about this new platform here. For assistance, please contact the Department at 860-291-7160 or ehparksrec@easthartfordct.gov. |
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| The East Hartford Police Department invites residents for a "Coffee with a Cop" event on October 5 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Dunkin', 639 Main St. This event is designed to bring police officers and the community members they serve together to discuss issues and ask questions. Learn more here. |
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| Manchester's next 2022 One Book, One Town event will be on Thursday, September 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the SBM Charitable Foundation Auditorium at Manchester Community College. You'll meet Zakiya Dalila Harris and learn about her path to becoming a New York Times Best Selling Author. Learn more here. |
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| There are only 2 farmers markets left of South Windsor Parks & Recreation's summer season! This next market is this Saturday, October 1 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 220 Nevers Rd! Click here to learn more. |
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YOUTH ACTIVITIES & RESOURCES
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| Awards for the 2022 Connecticut FAFSA Challenge have been announced. Synergy Alternative Program received the Governor's Award, which recognizes schools with the greatest percentage-point growth. South Windsor High School received the Commissioner's Award, which recognizes schools with the highest overall completion rates based on senior class size. This is the second year of the FAFSA Challenge, a competition launched during the 2020-2021 school year to encourage school districts to increase FAFSA completion rates to encourage students to pursue postsecondary education. You can read more about this here. |
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| Is your student heading off to college next year? Not sure how to start the financial aid process? East Hartford Public Schools students and parents can learn how to navigate the financial aid process on Thursday, September 29 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the East Hartford High School West Lecture Hall, 869 Forbes Street. If you have questions, please contact Marie Brown, College and Career Readiness Coordinator, at 860-622-5246 or brown.mr@easthartford.org. |
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| South Windsor Youth & Family Services will hold a Paint Night on Friday, October 14 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Teen Center!
The event is open to South Windsor middle schoolers and high schoolers. Tickets cost $5 per person and include supplies. Participants will create a fall-inspired painting. There will be snacks and beverages as students channel their inner artists.
For more information and to register for this event, please click here. |
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JOB OPPORTUNITIES & RESOURCES
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| The Town of East Hartford is hiring a program supervisor for the evolving Social Services Department. The incumbent will have the opportunity to lead a team of professionals dedicated to delivering services that positively impact residents' lives. Applications will be accepted through October 16, 2022. To learn more and apply, please click here. |
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| Through the state's Department of Labor, the American Job Center offers resources, information, and support for individuals throughout the state searching for a job. You can receive help writing a resume and attend interview technique workshops for those currently on the job hunt. For more information, click here. |
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| The State of Connecticut is hiring! You can find a variety of seasonal, part-time, and full-time positions. There are jobs open to members of the public as well as those already employed at a state agency or organization. You can find a full list of openings here. |
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| EAST HARTFORD:
Click here for the Town Meetings calendar.
Click here for the Community Events calendar.
Click here for information on the East Hartford Public Library.
Click here for East Hartford Community Television. |
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SOUTH WINDSOR:
Click here for the Public Meetings calendar.
Click here for the Community Events calendar.
Click here for information on the South Windsor Public Library.
Click here for South Windsor's Government Television Programming - watch LIVE town council meetings! |
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MANCHESTER:
Click here for the Town Meetings and Community Events Calendar.
Click here for information on the Manchester Public Library.
Click here for Manchester Public Television. |
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Upcoming Meetings and Events
A full calendar of all events happening at the Capitol next week, including public hearings, is available on the General Assembly website.
You can find the agenda for public hearings on the calendar by clicking on the calendar item and following the link to the committee page. For instructions on how to testify at a public hearing, please click here.
You can view a list of all the bills passed by the House this session here.
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